Sir David Attenborough to return with new TV series at 97 years old

We all know that David Attenborough is the gift that keeps on giving, and at 97 years old he's still going with a new series set to arrive later this year.

The iconic broadcaster is fast approaching his seventh decade of broadcasting, having first appeared on our screens in 1954.

Most people won't be able to remember a time before Attenborough's soothing voice was around to help educate us about the environment, and his lessons will only continue this autumn.

BBC

Just three years away from his 100th birthday, Attenborough has officially been confirmed as the presenter of the BBC's Planet Earth III.

The news comes more than 15 years since Attenborough first narrated the scenes in the original Planet Earth docu-series, followed by its sequel in 2016.

The third instalment of the nature series was commissioned in 2019, but faced delays following the coronavirus outbreak.

Four years on, the broadcaster has now started filming his introductory scenes and recording the narration for the popular series, The Mirror reports.

Commenting on Attenborough's involvement in the series, executive producer Mike Gunton said: “Planet Earth wouldn’t be Planet Earth without David, so I’m delighted he is presenting the third series.

"As ever, he has brought his huge enthusiasm and wisdom, has been encouraging about our new perspective and has, I know, really enjoyed seeing the extraordinary new wonders brought to the screen."

Gunton revealed the opening scenes of the new series were filmed 'in the beautiful British countryside in exactly the location where Charles Darwin used to walk whilst thinking over his Earth-shaking ideas about evolution'.

"It seemed the perfect place for David to introduce Planet Earth III and remind us of both the wonders and the fragility of our planet," Gunton said.

"For him, of course, the sun shone under blue skies …one of the only days it did all summer!”

John Phillips/Getty Images

Following in the footsteps of the first two series, Planet Earth III will be made up of eight episodes, the first seven of which are set to showcase the behaviour of animals from across the globe, including African Jacana birds, tropical Mobula rays and the spirit bear of Canada.

The episodes will reveal the amazing strategies animals have developed through evolution, and highlight some of the challenges they face in the modern world.

To end the series, the eighth and final episode of Blue Planet III will honour the human 'heroes' who work to try and save certain species of animals from going extinct.

There are sure to be some emotional scenes of the animals trying to survive, but at least we have Attenborough to help us through.